Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Yeon-shin quickly lowered his head again. Although he felt a gaze he couldn’t understand, he didn’t give it much thought.

‘It’s not like the masters of the Zhongnan Sect are here to display their martial prowess.’

One could feel their energy just by observing them .

The immortal energy of Mount Zhongnan, the birthplace of Taoism, was indeed different from the worldly warriors of the Jeong family.

The profound energy of their internal techniques was so mysterious that one could feel a refreshing sensation on the skin.

“Raise your head. We are not here to boast of our strength.”

Ye Yil-sin’s words still carried a hint of laughter. The people quickly stood up and straightened their posture.

The family head, Jeong Dae-myung, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke.

“We have committed a discourtesy while you were traveling. I apologize for making the sword masters of Zhongnan stand. Allow me to guide you.”

Following the family head, the masters of the Zhongnan Sect began to walk.

Ye Yil-sin brushed past the family members and once again cast a peculiar glance at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“It seems like she noticed me.”

“Not you, it must be me.”

The bickering sounds from behind were irritating.

What did it matter who the esteemed elder of the Zhongnan Sect looked at? They were not going to take anyone as a disciple anyway.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned and headed straight to the training ground, deep in thought.

‘There is nothing more I can learn from the Jeong family’s martial arts.’

What should he train in next?

Facing the imposing aura of the Zhongnan Sect masters after mastering one martial art made his perspective change.

The desire for achievement began to surpass his aversion.

‘The sword… Should I train in the sword next?’

What would it feel like to taste the pinnacle of achievement with a proper sword technique?

Yeon-shin recalled and meticulously deconstructed the formulas of the Jeong Divine Sword as he headed to the training ground. His steps were light.

The household was bustling, but the training ground where the boy stood was exceedingly quiet.

In the middle stance, he raised his sword to his chest. His breathing was calm.

The deepened breath from Jeong Family Dynamic Training created a cloud-like fullness with each inhale.

And with each exhale, the breath washed away distractions like rain cleansing the earth.

Yeon-shin reached a state of selflessness. With each breath, he focused entirely on the sword.

Jeong Divine Sword, Form of Blossoming Energy and Elegance.

The sword moved.

The Jeong Divine Sword, composed of three sword principles and twenty-one forms, was grand.

It carried the distinctive feel of Taoist mysticism, even though it only partially integrated the sword techniques of the Zhongnan Sect.

Had it been a technique from the main sect, it would have been both grand and mysterious. The Jeong Divine Sword was only grand.

It felt unnatural, like a worldly swordsman imitating a Taoist.

Before he could think, Yeon-shin instinctively felt this way.

What does a worldly swordsman seek from a Taoist lineage? Wealth and fame.

If someone blocks the path, it is enough to cut them down with a single stroke.

What does a swordsman without depth need? Speed. The sword must be fast.

Whiiik!

The sword movement changed. The blade, which had been wielded with weight, became lighter.

The energy coursed through his entire body, following a new intention.

The Qi from his Jeong Family Dynamic Training surged violently, contracting his muscles.

The sword technique imbued with the principles of speed naturally opened a new path for the sword.

Saaak!

The night air was torn apart by the sword, startling the birds into flight.

It was a strike found nowhere in the Jeong Divine Sword. It was a completely new sword principle.

“Haa.”

He exhaled deeply, filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at the hand holding the sword.

When he started the sword stance, he had gripped it tightly with all five fingers according to the Jeong Divine Sword’s method, but now the grip with his thumb and index finger had naturally loosened.

This is how it’s done.

“This is speed.”

The boy, who realized the principle of the speed sword and created a new technique, was very excited.

It was different from the meticulously completed Jeong Family Dynamic Training, which required patience like stitching thread by thread.

With just one inspiration from seeing the Zhongnan Sect masters, he immediately created a new toy.

“It’s fun. Really.”

Yeon-shin, who had been practicing the newly acquired speed sword technique a few more times, suddenly looked up.

The sky was as black as if covered in dark silk.

The clouds covered the entire sky, hiding the stars and the moon.

‘If I want to train my dynamic techniques at dawn, I should sleep now.’

With a satisfied smile, he headed straight to his room.

The body, honed through Jeong Family Dynamic Training, didn’t sweat a single drop.

The boy felt no need to wash and fell asleep immediately.

After waking up early and completing his dawn training, Yeon-shin headed straight to the breakfast hall.

Normally, he would have a servant bring him breakfast alone, but this time was different.

The family head was surely going to have breakfast with the Zhongnan Sect masters, whose stay duration was uncertain.

‘Shamelessness is not a big deal.’

Just seeing their profound energy had already inspired him.

The boy, who had tasted great achievement, boldly joined the family breakfast.

He had no interest in the surprised looks from the family members.

Yeon-shin focused his gaze on the Zhongnan Sect members seated at the head table.

“Ahem. If you’re here, take a seat.”

Jeong Dae-myung, who cleared his throat, spoke.

It would have been difficult to reprimand his son in front of such distinguished martial artists.

This was exactly what Yeon-shin had intended.

The meal began.

The boy, trying not to be obvious, glanced at Yil-sin and the other Zhongnan Sect members.

He wondered what kind of training he needed to achieve the serene energy they exuded.

The clear and bright energy, seemingly brought straight from Mount Zhongnan, was intriguing.

Then, he met eyes with Elder Ye Yil-sin. She smiled warmly.

“The family head’s son has remarkably clear eyes. He looks very intelligent.”

“Hmm…! I apologize deeply. My third son lacks discipline…”

The startled Dae-myung pulled back slightly and glared at Yeon-shin.

The boy lowered his head slightly and continued eating his vegetables.

Strangely, Yil-sin’s gentle smile was more intimidating than Dae-myung’s outright scowl.

There was something different.

‘It’s not just clear. It’s deep. Is this what they call supreme power?’

It was the first time he had seen someone whose accumulated inner energy naturally radiated outside their body.

Even though it wasn’t visible, it was distinctly felt.

His understanding of how strong inner energy could be had been shattered.

‘Jeong Family Dynamic Training isn’t the end. It can develop further.’

The vegetables stopped mid-air on their way to his mouth.

He glimpsed the beginnings of a new martial art.

Come to think of it, all Jeong Yeon-shin had refined with the Jeong Family Dynamic Training was his own body.

How foolish of him not to realize there was more beyond that.

With everyone’s indifference and subtle hostility, no one had taught him.

‘The body is a vessel. To have such an aura, I must refine my qi.’

What he had done wasn’t wrong.

Thanks to it, he could fully focus on training and establish a solid foundation for his qi to circulate.

Refining the vessel first and then filling it with energy. Clean the vessel first, then fill it with energy.

Now, it was time to pour in the energy.

Yeon-shin had grasped the most fundamental yet profound principle completely.

His Jeong Family Dynamic Training could advance further.

It would evolve once more and transform into a new martial art.

‘This time, it’s true internal training.’

He hummed to himself internally.

Countless inspirational thoughts struck his mind like lightning.

Numerous methods of receiving the energy of heaven and earth intertwined, forming a new structure.

‘What should I call the technique that follows the Jeong Family Dynamic Training?’

For a moment, the boy’s eyes gleamed with a sky-blue hue, but only Ye Yil-sin of Zhongnan noticed this.

An unusual sense of doubt arose on her otherworldly beautiful face.

“This place has a better energy field than expected.”

“Indeed. It’s understandable why the Sword Sect would covet such a land.”

The two disciples from the Zhongnan Sect who had accompanied the elders to assist were speaking.

Ye Yil-sin and the three martial artists were having tea in the guest room provided by the Jeong family head.

The room, meticulously arranged and filled with a subtle fragrance, reflected an awareness of their status as members of the Nine Great Sects.

“It is certain they will arrive. The plan to counterattack is sound, but… I still worry about the sacrifices this family might have to make.” said Ye Yil-sin.

“We keep the senses open at all times.”

“We should be able to confront and defeat them before they cross the wall.”

Confidence flowed from the faces of the disciples, who were over thirty.

Yil-sin, feeling the energy emitted by her disciples, said no more.

They were the elite of the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.

It was not an act of recklessness.

She changed the topic.

“Did you like the child you are supposed to tutor?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I feel the same.”

After living for more than two hundred years, Yil-sin could often guess the character and quality of a person from their behavior and demeanor upon first meeting. The second son of the Jeong family did not seem extraordinarily exceptional to her.

“On the contrary, the eyes of the third son were quite focused.”

“I saw the same.”

“He is indeed not of an ordinary mold. He may one day gain fame as the representative sword of this family. If he becomes a disciple of our main sect, he wouldn’t be able to inherit the family business, which might be why the family head is sending the second son instead.”

Though Yil-sin’s words were speculative, her tone was near certain. The two disciples were surprised.

“Is he that exceptional?”

“Then should we consider taking the third son to the main sect…”

“That would violate the rules. The main sect has already designated a disciple. Even if we were to change our minds now, the family head would not accept it, and the grand event of the Great Zhongnan should not be taken lightly.”

The low-toned admonishment from the elder made the disciples lower their heads.

Reflecting on their own careless words, they felt a bit ashamed.

Meanwhile, Yil-sin tapped the table with her long fingers.

‘That boy is indeed peculiar.’

There was a constant aura of strangeness around him.

It was not the kind of talent described as ‘favored by the great nature’ among the noble families.

If that were the case, the phenomena visible only to her eyes would be enveloping the boy.

It was something different altogether.

‘He stood out distinctly in the world.’

As one who communicates with the heavens, the extreme internal energy practitioners like Ye Yil-sin often experience profound and mysterious abilities through the Baihui acupoint atop their heads, occasionally granting foresight-like abilities through their upper Dantian.

For Ye Yil-sin to feel such an unusual sensation, the boy was undoubtedly extraordinary.

But this was not the time to concern herself with him.

“The Sword Sect is a formidable enemy. Do not let your guard down and sharpen your sword techniques.”

After finishing breakfast, Jeong Yeon-shin received a visit from the chief steward. The purpose was as expected.

The dignified face of the chief steward looked troubled as he faced Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Chief Steward.”

“Third Young Master.”

“Have I done something wrong? I often find myself wondering these days.”

“Third Young Master.”

“My mother’s energy was exhausted at birth? Is that why I can’t even show my face to the family’s esteemed guests?”

“…It is the will of the family head.”

The chief steward replied. Seeing the difficulty on his face, Jeong Yeon-shin kept silent.

The chief steward was a good person.

Regardless of his own will, he had to handle the family’s affairs as an extension of Jeong Dae-myung, the family head.

At times like this, he would miss his maternal family, whom he had never seen.

But the Jeong family never sent him away.

Yeon-shin’s maternal family was tied to a very powerful faction.

Even though they had never sought out the grandson after his mother’s death, the family members who disregarded him always kept their guard up and found it awkward.

“I’m sorry.”

The boy spoke, and a look of pity briefly crossed the chief steward’s face.

“I understand that the training equipment in the training hall is lacking. I will ensure they are replenished.”

“Thank you. I’ll wait.”

As Yeon-shin turned away, he felt regret.

The enlightenment he gained from observing the masters of the Zhongnan Sect had made him impatient and childish.

It was unlike him.

‘Let’s focus on refining the internal training.’

He regulated his breathing according to the principles of Jeong Family Dynamic Training to calm his mind.